Food, Health & Agriculture

The Sierra Club Agriculture Committee Mission: To educate people about the issues involved in modern food production; encourage people to think about the environmental impacts of their consumption choices and make more sustainable food choices that can regenerate the earth and sea. To request information or apply for membership in the Santa Barbara-Ventura Agriculture Committee, complete this form.

SOME SOLUTIONS to protect our land, water, air and resources, support our local farmers and improve our health. Think LOVE* -- love food that loves you and our planet. 

  • L = Local (and luscious) – Choose fresh food produced locally; Savor food and eat mindfully.
  • O = Buy Organic when possible to reduce toxic chemicals in our soil, air and water. Healthy soil produces healthier food, uses less water and holds more carbon.
  • V = Vital and Vibrant -- Substitute more colorful plant foods for animal sources; enjoy a variety of plant foods; more diversity equals a healthier microbiome.
  • E = Ecological – Choose foods that protect our natural resources. Reduce intake of all meat, especially meat and dairy from animals raised in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO). Choose healthier sources of animal protein from animals raised on smaller farms with access to pasture and are raised without unnecessary chemicals.

The Sierra Club's TRUE COST OF FOOD campaign is spreading the word about hidden costs in mass-produced food and about alternatives that are kinder to the planet and better for us.

The environmental problems caused by our eating habits can be solved—but only if a great number of consumers make an effort to solve them. Knowledge is power!

Want to learn more about where our food comes from? Watch the film, "At the Fork"

Great Resources for More Sustainable Food

Local Resources

 

Santa Barbara and Ventura CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture)

  • Farm Cart Organics - Farm in Carpinteria and buys from a variety of farms that delivers in north and south Santa Barbara and Ventura County; has add on specialty food 
  • Plow to Porch - Buys from a variety of farms and delivers in Santa Barbara County
  • Something Good Organics - Farm in Santa Ynez that delivers to Santa Barbara County; has add on specialty food 
  • Dare 2 Dream Farms - Farm and farm stand in Lompoc that delivers to North Santa Barbara County; has add on specialty food 
  • Local Harvest Delivery - Buys from a variety of farms that delivers in South Santa Barbara County; has add-on specialty food 
  • Sunrise Organic Farm – Farms at 7 different locations with Farm stand in Goleta;  pickup and delivery  
  • Sow a Heart Farm in Agoura - Various sized boxes with food and flowers from their Regenerative Farm and Farm Stand with added products
  • Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark - Produce from their farm and farm stand 
  • Farmer and the Cook in Ojai - Food from their farm; farm stand; restaurant
  • Rodale Institute in Camarillo - (formerly McGrath Family Farm) has a farm stand and monthly farm tours; leaders in Regenerative Organic Farming

 

Local Meat

 

Local Seafood

 

National Resources